A first publically routable IP address and a second publically routable IP address (bypass IP address) is firstly received from an Internet Service Provider (ISP) that forms part of a public network. An instruction to assign the second publically routable IP address to the host computer is then received. The first publically routable IP address is assigned to a Network Address Translation (NAT) service on the gateway and the second publically routable IP address is allocated to the host computer. Finally, the second publically routable IP address is allocated to the host computer. This allows the host computer to be configured to enable it to receive unsolicited packets from the public network through the gateway. A gateway and computer program product are also provided.
Legal claims defining the scope of protection, as filed with the USPTO.
1. A method for providing a publically routable Internet Protocol (IP) address to a host computer located on a private network, comprising: assigning a first publically routable IP address to a gateway coupled to; both a public and a private network, said gateway comprising a NAST therein; allocating a second publically routable IP address to a host computer in said private network, where said host computer is coupled to said gateway; and transmitting said second publically routable IP address to said host computer, such that said host computer can be configured with said second publically routable IP address to enable it to receive unsolicited packets from said public network through said gateway by bypassing the NAT.
2. The method of claim 1 , further comprising, prior to said assigning, receiving said first publically routable IP address and said second publically routable IP address from an Internet Service Provider (ISP) that forms part of said public network.
3. The method of claim 1 , further comprising, prior to said assigning, allotting a first privately routable IP address to said gateway; assigning a second privately routable IP address to said host computer; and transmitting said second privately routable IP address to said host computer, such that said host computer can communicate with said gateway on said private network.
4. The method of claim 1 , further comprising, prior to said assigning, receiving an instruction to assign said second publically routable IP address to said host computer.
5. The method of claim 1 , further comprising, prior to said assigning, inquiring whether said host computer would like a publically routable IP address.
6. The method of claim 5 , wherein said inquiring comprises transmitting a Web page to said host computer, where said Web page queries a user of said host computer whether said user would like a publically routable IP address to be assigned to said host computer.
7. The method of claim 1 , wherein said assigning further comprises assigning said first publically routable IP address to a Network Address Translation (NAT) service on said gateway.
8. A method for providing a publically routable Internet Protocol (IP) address to a host computer located on a private network, comprising: receiving a first publically routable IP address and a second publically routable IP address from an Internet Service Provider (ISP); allotting a first privately routable IP address to a gateway coupled to both a public network and a private network; assigning a second privately routable IP address to a host computer in a private network; and transmitting said second privately routable IP address to said host computer, such that said host computer can be configured to communicate with said gateway on said private network; receiving an instruction to assign said second publically routable IP address to said host computer; assigning said first publically routable IP address to a Network Address Translation (NAT) service on said gateway; allocating said second publically routable IP address to said host computer; and transmitting said second publically routable IP address to said host computer, such that said host computer can be configured to enable it to receive unsolicited packets from said public network through said gateway by bypassing the NAT.
9. A gateway for providing a publically routable Internet Protocol (IP) address to a host computer located on a private network, comprising: a Central Processing Unit (CPU); communications circuitry; and a memory, comprising: a Network Address Translation (NAT) service: an operating system; communication procedures for communicating with a public and a private network; a control program containing: instructions for assigning a first publically routable IP address to a gateway coupled to both said public and said private networks; instructions for allocating a second publically routable IP address to a host computer in said private network; and instructions for transmitting said second publically routable IP address to said host computer, such that said host computer can be configured with said second publically routable IP address to enable it to receive unsolicited packets from said public network through said gateway bypassing the NAT service.
10. The gateway of claim 9 , wherein said memory further comprises a publically routable IP block that contains said first and second publically routable IP addresses.
11. The gateway of claim 9 , wherein said memory further comprises a privately routable IP block containing at least one privately routable IP address.
12. The gateway of claim 9 , wherein said memory further comprises a Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) server.
13. The gateway of claim 9 , wherein said memory further comprises a Web Client and server, and at least one Web page for querying said host computer whether said host computer would like a publically mutable IP address.
14. The gateway of claim 9 , wherein said memory further comprises instructions for receiving said first publically routable IP address and said second publically routable IP address from an Internet Service Provider (ISP).
15. The gateway of claim 9 , wherein said memory further comprises: instructions for allotting a first privately routable IP address to said gateway; instructions for assigning a second privately routable IP address to said host computer; and instructions for transmitting said second privately routable IP address to said host computer, such that said host computer can be configured to communicate with said gateway on said private network.
16. The gateway of claim 9 , wherein said memory further comprises receiving an instruction to assign said second publically routable IP address to said host computer.
17. A computer, program product for providing a publically routable Internet Protocol (IP) address to a host computer located on a private network, the computer program product comprising a computer readable storage and a computer program stored therein, the computer program comprising: instructions for assigning a first publically routable IP address to a gateway coupled to both said public and said private networks; instructions for allocating a second publically routable IP address to a host computer in said private network; and instructions for transmitting said second publically routable IP address to said host computer, such that said host computer can be configured with said second publically routable IP address to enable it to receive unsolicited packets from said public network through said gateway by bypassing a Network Address Translation service within the gateway.
Cooperative Patent Classification codes for this invention. Click any code to explore related patents in that topic.
November 27, 2001
March 28, 2006
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